Home | News | Tour News | Reviews | Live Reviews | Interviews | Black Metal Contact Info | Cradle Of Fun | Site News

 

 

Metal News From The Past Month
As ever, badly edited by Steve
live4metalsteve@aol.com 

 
Rock And Blues 2008 Cancelled : Added May 8th
This years Rock And Blues festival, which was also the festivals 25th anniversary, has been cancelled after the police refused to give it a licence.

According to the Derbyshire Constabulary, it is believed that there was to be a retaliation for the death of Hells Angel Gerald Tobin last year near a (completely unrelated) motorcycle show, at The Bulldog Bash.

For the full statement from the organizers, visit the Rock and Blues website here: www.rockandblues.uk.com

 
New Writers Needed : Added May 8th
We've been absolutely flooded with new review material the past few months, last month alone we covered 135 releases. So to be able to cope with the seemingly non-stop supply of new cds, we are looking for new UK based writers.

What we need from you, is a sample review of between 200 and 400 words. (And please check your spelling and grammar, as you won't believe some of the sample reviews we receive) And a list of likes and dislikes.

We are particularly looking for writers to cover: Hardcore, Grind, Power Metal and Metalcore, although we are looking for people to cover most styles.

Please contact me via: live4metalsteve@aol.com

 
Metalmania Festival 2009 : Added May 8th
After a very successful Metalmania Festival 2008 we are proud to announce the dates of the 2009 edition. As every year, the Festival will take place in Poland and in Czech Republic.

Metalmania Festival 2009:
Friday, 6th March 2009, Zlin (CZ), Novesta Hall
Saturday, 7th March 2009, Katowice (PL), Spodek Hall

The 23rd edition of the Metalmania Festival - the biggest metal fest in Central-Eastern Europe – will guest over 20 bands that will perform for thousands of metal freaks!!!!

The Metalmania Festival has a long and great history. Running for over 20 years, it has become the biggest and the most important metal festival in Poland and Czech Republic. In the past, the Festival hosted over 300 artists incl.: Megadeth, Testament, Blaze Bayley, Entombed, Destruction, Benedition, Zyklon, Therion, Nevermore, Anathema, Moonspell, Samael, Apocalyptica, Cradle of Filth, Napalm Death, Death, Soulfly, Michael Schenker Group, Tiamat, Morbid Angel, Opeth, Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, Lacuna Coil, Judas Priest, The Gathering, Dimmu Borgir, Hammerfall, Running Wild, Vital Remains, Fear Factory, Sepultura, Candlemass, Kreator, Overkill, Helloween, Saxon among many others.
The recent edition of the Festival, which took place on the 7th March (in Czech Republic) and 8th March 2008 (in Poland), gathered on one stage such great bands as Megadeth, Dillinger Escape Plan, Satyricon, Overkill, Vader, Immolation, Artillery, Flotsam And Jetsam, and Marduk, to name a few. Each edition is very well documented, as the show in Katowice is recorded and released as DVD + CD compilations.

Metalmania Festival is also a perfect place to shoot a live DVD. In the past, such bands as Anathema, Pain, Vital Remains, Blaze Bayley, and Decapitated have released DVDs recorded during their shows in Poland. The forthcoming DVDs of Artillery (“One Foot in the Grave, The Other One in the Trash”) and Flotsam And Jetsam (“Once in a Deathtime”) feature their performances on the Metalmania Festival’s stage!

BANDS – we want you!
Bands interested in performing on the side stage during Metalmania 2009 can send their applications (bio, link to website, link to mp3 files etc) to the following e-mail address: sidestage@metalmind.com.pl The deadline: November 30, 2008.

METALMANIA FESTIVAL 2009
Friday, 6th March 2009, Zlin (CZ), Novesta Hall
Saturday, 7th March 2009, Katowice (PL), Spodek Hall

2 stages – over 20 bands
Official websites: www.metalmind.pl/metalmania/index.php?jezyk=en & www.myspace.com/metalmaniafestival

 
Dir en grey Begin Work On New Album : Added May 8th
Tokyo, Japan: Dir en grey have begun work on their next album at the studio in the Sony Tokyo building. Pre-production started at the beginning of March, with the actual recording of the first few tracks currently in progress. The band then plan to return to pre-production to work on the remainder of the sings.

Guitarist Kaoru describes the recording process and concepts:
“The album will be stuffed with themes of “guilt and reincarnation”, as well as “the past, present and future of Dir en grey”. This will be heavier and darker than previous albums, with a sort of oriental and religious mood and connotations. We’re experimenting with different sounds - we’d like to introduce a multitude of different instruments on this album.” 

Produced by the band themselves, the album is planned for release later in 2008, but no release date has yet been set.
 
Gaia Epicus Free Downloads : Added May 8th
Free albums for download ...

Hello metalheads and non metalheads!
We are working hard on the new album and it is going to be a blast once it's done. As a "Waiting for the new album" gift we would like to give you our 2 first albums for FREE DOWNLOAD !!!! Hell Yeah :)

The albums will be available for download between 7th and 18th of May.
For downloads go to: www.gaia-epicus.com/news.html

 
Artillery DVD : Added May 8th
As previously announced Metal Mind Productions will release Artillery's first DVD entitled “One Foot in the Grave, The Other One in the Trash”. The DVD features a fantastic gig the thrash veteran's of Artillery gave at Metalmania Festival 2008! The outstanding guitar play of brothers Stützer, charismatic Carsten Nielsen's powerful drums and the uncompromising thrash energy of Søren Adamsen's voice ruthlessly hammered their way into the hearts of the headbangers assembled on that occasion. Artillery launched a veritable blitz, bombarding their fans with a skull-breaking selection of some of the best songs from their entire discography, including great thrash metal masterpieces like "By Inheritance" and "Khomaniac"!

The full tracklist looks as follows:

DVD:
1. Deeds of Darkness
2. Into the Universe
3. The Almighty
4. Cybermind
5. The Challenge
6. By Inheritance
7. The Eternal War
8. Beneath the Clay (R.I.P.)
9. Time Has Come
10. At War with Science
11. Out of the Sky
12. Khomaniac
13. Terror Squad

CD (limited edition DVD+CD only):
1. Deeds of Darkness
2. Into the Universe
3. The Almighty
4. Cybermind
5. The Challenge
6. By Inheritance
7. The Eternal War
8. Beneath the Clay (R.I.P.)
9. Time Has Come
10. At War with Science
11. Out of the Sky
12. Khomaniac
13. Terror Squad

The DVD will also include many great bonus features such as extra video material: Allergic to Knowledge (video clip), Terror Squad (video clip), The Almighty (bootlegged at ”The Rock”, Copenhagen, 2008), Missing Link – Lobotomized (video clip) plus interview with Michael Stützer, interview with Morten Stützer and Carsten Nielsen and more.

The cover artwork was designed by Graal known from his previous work for Vital Remains, Sinister, Solitude Aeturnus, Bulldozer etc. Graal was also responsible for the cover artwork of Artillery’s box “Through The Years”.

The release will also be available in a limited edition - including a CD with songs recorded at the Metalmania Festival! Both versions of the DVD are scheduled for release on 16th June 2008 in Europe and 5th August 2008 in USA (via MVD).
 
New Arckanum Album Details Announced : Added May 8th
The title, and full track listing of Arckanum's forthcoming fourth album are finally disclosed. Recorded at Sunlight Studio and mastered at Necromorbus Studio, "Antikosmos" reflects Shamaatae's worship of the anti-cosmic Old Norse religion and his workings of the dark runes. Track listing is as follows:

01. Svarti
02. Dauðmellin
03. Røkulfargnýr
04. Blóta Loka
05. Nákjeptir
06. Eksortna
07. Sú Vitran
08. Formála

To be released this coming June via Debemur Morti Productions. A full un-mastered track has been uploaded and can be heard here
 
Emergency Gate - Preview Of Upcoming Album : Added May 8th
The first recordings with the new singer Matthias Kupka (ex Suidakra) are done.

Finally, a musical preview of the upcoming Album and small view behind the curtains is here.
to watch the video: http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=bvnrMb7ba-U

Enjoy the Video and feel free to comment Emergency Gates new sound!

for more information visit :
www.emergency-gate.com 
www.myspace.com/emergencygateonline
 
Resurrection News : Added May 8th
Florida Death Metal merchants Resurrection have completed their new albums "Mistaken For Death" and have delivered one of the greatest Death Metal albums ever to come from Florida - release will be on June 27th via Massacre Records. The strictly limited Digipak will include a bonus DVD with high definition making of/interviews/live parts as well as a huge slight show part!

Here's the track listing of the new album:
Buried Alive
Unholy
A Thirst For Flesh
Death By Desire
X-ile
Coward
The Deciever
Ritual Slaughter
Perils Of Burden

 
Bloodstock Open Air 2008 : Added May 5th
Live 4 Metal will now be bringing you the latest news on this years Bloodstock as soon as it is announced.

This is how this years line-up is looking so far:

Fri 15th August 2008
As I Lay Dying + Evile + Opeth + Saint Deamon + Communic + Helloween + Primal Fear + Tyr

Bloodstock Unsigned Stage: Pro-Jekt

Sat 16th August 2008
Alestorm + Dimmu Borgir + Iced Earth + Moonsorrow + Swallow The Sun + Cloudscape + Eluveitie + Mob Rules + Soilwork  

Sun 17th August 2008
At The Gates + Grand Magus + Nightwish + Crowning Glory + Kataklysm + Overkill  

Bloodstock Unsigned Stage: Keltic Jihad

The Bloodstock Open Air heavy metal festival was established in 2005 to bring a wider choice of heavy metal bands to the UK and provide a venue for the best established and unsigned metal bands to perform in front of a large an enthusiastic audience of true metal heads.

Bloodstock Open Air features three days of diverse international heavy metal bands across three stages, a large selection of merchandise stalls, metal karaoke, campsite and a wide selection of food, bars and other refreshments.

The Bloodstock Open Air website offers full festival details, ticket information and purchasing, festival merchandise, metal news, competitions including Bloodstock Unsigned, forums, heavy metal galleries and tons more metal mayhem!

www.bloodstock.uk.com

 
Live 4 Metal Updates: : Added May 5th
We turned 7 years old last month and it turned out to be the busiest month in the sites history. We added a total of 135 album reviews, which is pretty damn good considering the small-ish size of the L4M team and the fact we all have full times jobs, families to feed etc... So I'd like to say a massive thank you to all of the Live 4 Metal team for such brilliant work last month, and every month and year, before that.

The first week of May will see fewer updates as I've got to concentrate on my business, but I've a special feature coming next week, which was started a couple of months ago, but I've literally not had time to put it together. It may end up being run over 2 months because of the size of it all. All will be revealed next week.

We've also got a humongous feature planned, which will take about 3 months to put together the opening articles and will then take about a year to complete. News on that coming very soon.

 
Planet Rock Soldiers On : Added May 5th
Planet Rock is still broadcasting. The latest deadline has passed and a new one has been issued while talks are held on the sale of the station. The new deadline is May 30th, but as the deadline has now been extended twice, it looks as though the station still has a future. Fingers crossed.

If you've yet to discover Planet Rock, quite possibly the best radio station ever! Well

actually, it is the best ever, then head over to www.planetrock.co.uk or listen in on your DAB or on Sky channel 0110.

Where else can you hear the likes of Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Motorhead and Saxon etc... on a daily basis?

 
Carnivore Re-Issues : Added May 5th
Carnivore - thrash metal band formed in 1982 by Peter Steele (Type O Negative) out of the ruins of the Brooklyn hard rock group Fallout. They released two albums - the self-titled debut album (1986) and “Retaliation” (1987) - which are now re-released by Metal Mind Productions in a new digipak edition, digitally remastered using 24-Bit process on golden disc, limited edition to 2000 copies.

“Carnivore” has traditionally been metal-sounding, drawing inspiration from Black Sabbath and 1970s Judas Priest. Based primarily around the concept of life after a thermonuclear war, the album thrust its listener into a corrupt society where rage, murder and cannibalism were accepted as means of survival. With the release of the second album the band headed into more hardcore musical and image territory. They felt it’s best to abandon the costumes and science-fiction attitude in favour of a more straight-from-the-heart approach. On “Retaliation” Peter touched subjects ranging from racial tension ("Race War"), gang warfare ("Sex and Violence"), patriotism ("U.S.A. For U.S.A") and intense anxiety ("Inner Conflict"). The album includes also a Jimi Hendrix cover “Manic Depression”.

Both titles include bonus demo tracks !!! The release date is scheduled for 19th May 2008 in Europe and 8th July 2008 in USA (via MVD).
Carnivore - “Carnivore” (remastered + bonus tracks)
Tracklist:

1. Predator
2. Carnivore
3. Male Supermacy
4. Armageddon
5. Legion of Doom
6. God Is Dead
7. Thermonuclear Warrior
8. World Wars III and IV

Bonus tracks:
9. U.S.A. for U.S.A. (demo)
10. S.M.D. (demo)
11. Sex and Violence (demo)

Carnivore - “Retaliation” (remastered + bonus tracks)

Tracklist:

1. Jack Daniel’s and Pizza
2. Angry Neurotic Catholics
3. S.M.D.
4. Ground Zero Brooklyn
5. Race War
6. Inner Conflict
7. Jesus Hitler
8. Technophobia
9. Manic Depression
10. U.S.A. for U.S.A.
11. Five Billion Dead
12. Sex and Violence

Bonus tracks:
13. World Wars III and IV (demo)
14. Carnivore (demo)
15. The Subhuman (demo)
 
Amon Amarth To Play Download : Added May 5th
Amon Amarth have been confirmed to play Download 2008, which takes place at Donington Park, Leicestershire between June 13th – 15th.

Amon Amarth are currently writing new songs for the highly anticipated follow up to 2006’s ‘With oden On Our Side’ album.

The band are scheduled to enter Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden in May with producer Jens Bogren to begin recording their, as yet untitled, new album for an Autumn 2008 release on Metal Blade Records.
 
Operation: Mindcrime Performance : Added May 5th
Queensryche To Perform Operation: Mindcrime In Its Entirety At Rocklahoma 2008:

On Sunday, July 13th in Pryor, Oklahoma, Queensryche (Geoff Tate, Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Mike Stone) will hit the stage to perform their 1988 concept album, Operation: Mindcrime, from beginning to end in its entirety. The epic theatrical presentation will cover all fifteen songs from the album including such fan favorites as "Revolution Calling," "Operation: Mindcrime," "I Don't Believe In Love" and the closing track, "Eyes Of A Stranger." The band's headlining performance of Operation: Mindcrime at this year's four-day Rocklahoma festival will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the release and will be the only performance of its type in the United States this year. Last year, the band released Mindcrime at the Moore, a double DVD featuring the theatrical performances of both Operation: Mindcrime I & II albums that debuted at #1 on the Billboard Music DVD Chart. It marked the band's first #1 chart debut. In addition to Mindcrime, fans in attendance at Rocklahoma this July can expect an encore performance of well-known hits from other albums in the band's illustrious career now spanning 25 years.

On Thursday, May 8th, the band will begin their tour of South America, Europe and the United Kingdom on a trek that will ultimately last throughout most of the summer.

For more info, please see the band's official website at www.queensryche.com 

For more info on Rocklahoma, please visit the festival's website at http://rock.feverfest.com/

 
Defeated Sanity US Tour Announced : Added May 5th
German Metallers Defeated Sanity Announce US Tour Dates

Brutal death metal band Defeated Sanity from Germany are very proud to announce details of their first shows in the USA which include an appearance at the 2008 instalment of the Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore, Maryland and at the Gathering of the Sick festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Defeated Sanity’s live trek is divided into east and west coast shows, with the east leg featuring Mucopus and Copremesis from New York, and Sexcrement from Massachusetts. The west leg will feature Dismal Lapse, Divaricate, and Mucus Membrane, all hailing from California. The full schedule is shaping up as follows:

East Coast Tour - with Mucopus, Sexcrement, Copremesis
May 20 - Boston, MA - Great Scott (w/Dysentery)
May 21 - New York City, NY - Club Midway (w/Malignancy)
May 22 - Philadelphia, PA - The Manhattan Room (w/Insatanity)
May 24 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar (Maryland Deathfest)

West Coast Tour - with Dismal Lapse, Divaricate, Mucus Membrane
May 29 - Las Vegas, NV - venue tba (w/Guttural Secrete)
May 30 - Albuquerque, NM - The Compound (Gathering of the Sick Festival)
May 31 - El Paso, TX - Chics
Jun. 01 - Phoenix, AZ - Metal Devastation
Jun. 02 - San Diego, CA - tbc *
Jun. 03 - City of Industry (LA), CA - AWS Arena *
Jun. 04 - Ventura, CA - tbc (w/Inherit Disease) *
Jun. 05 - Santa Cruz, CA - Project 418 (w/Flesh Consumed) *
Jun. 06 - Sacramento, CA - tbc
Jun. 07 - Berkeley, CA - 924 Gilman (w/Inherit Disease)

* No Dismal Lapse

The band has recently posted the song "Salacious Affinity" from their self-produced "Promo 2007" at the following location: www.myspace.com/defeatedsanity

Defeated Sanity’s crushing sophomore album "Psalms Of The Moribund" was released in 2007 via UK-label Grindethic Records and was voted "Top Metal Album of 2007" by the SMN Deathmetal Forum community.

A tour poster can be viewed below:
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/3707/defeatedsanityeastcoastai2.gif

For more information, visit:
www.myspace.com/defeatedsanity
www.grindethic.co.uk 
 
Gorerotted Change Band Name To The Rotted : Added April 22nd
The UK's Gorerotted have decided to take the big step of changing their name to The Rotted! Having worked so hard on their new album 'Get Dead Or Die Trying', the lads felt that due to the huge progression they've made from previous releases musically and lyrically and after frequent line-up changes that this was the only right thing to do.

Says frontman Ben McCrow: "The motives behind what we were doing with Gorerotted have changed over the years, and as a mark of respect for what we achieved, for previous band members and for fans, we didn't feel it was right to continue under our previous moniker. This album is gonna blow people away, I couldn't even classify it for you if I tried, all I can say is its heavy as fuck, catchy as hell and a piece of work we're all incredibly proud of. People have been affectionately referring to us as The Rotted for some time now, so it seemed like a decent change to us."

The Rotted is having a new myspace site which can be found here: www.myspace.com/therotted Please add them to your friends list and make sure to spread the word. Be the first to learn about news, exclusive tracks from the new album, tour dates and much more!

The Rotted's new album ‘Get Dead Or Die Trying’ is due for release the 27th of June 2008 (G/A/CH/I) / 30th of June 2008 (rest of Europe).

Additionally the band has announced the first tour dates under their new moniker.

14/06/2008 – GB – Cambridge – Barfly (support: Ted Maul)
02/07/2008 – GB - Manchester - Music Box (support: Ted Maul)
03/07/2008 – GB - Glasgow - Ivory Blacks (support: Ted Maul)
04/07/2008 – GB - Nottingham - Junktion 7 (support: Ted Maul)
05/07/2008 – GB - London - Bar Academy (support: Ted Maul)
06/07/2008 – GB - Newport – TJs (support: Ted Maul)
01/08/2008 – DE – Wacken - Wacken Open Air
13/08/2008 – DE – Dinkelsbühl - Summer Breeze Open Air
 
Skyforger Album Re-Issue : Added April 22nd
Folk Music Album Re-issue

We are happy to announce that band's only folk music album "Zobena Dziesma / Sword Song" is available again!

Originally CD was released in 2003 by the band in limited edition and in the past few years became an impossible to find item. Now 5 years later, band offers a new chance for those who are still looking for “Sword Song”. To make re-release even more special there are:
a) two brand-new bonus tracks
b) included all lyrics in Latvian and English
c) new artwork added
d) album is fully remastered
e) beautiful vinyl version (available only from Folter Records, only 500 copies, so hurry up with your orders, email: info(at)folter666.de

You can hear/download one of the new songs here: A CRESTED BIRD SINGS - www.skyforger.lv/bild/sf_cekulaina_zile_dzied_192.mp3
 
New Frailty Album Out Now : Added April 22nd
Frailty debut album "Lost Lifeless Light" is out now!!

Solitude Productions presents a debut album of the first Latvian doom/death band Frailty. "Lost Lifeless Lights" - rigid, bright and technical music in the vein of European doom death metal school (My Dying Bride, Anathema, Mourning Beloveth), with dark metal influences, which makes the band’s sound very original and fresh. All this makes Frailty one of the best bands of a Baltic heavy scene.

The first 200 copies of the album contain Bonus DVD with performance at “Shadow Doom Fest” in "Shade" Club in Moscow.

Label site - www.solitude-prod.com

 
Helheim Corrupt Norwegian Kids : Added April 22nd
Today, April 22nd,  the new album from Helheim, Kaoskult, is out, and the band celebrated that with a small acoustic concert at Klosteret kindergarten in Bergen. They played the songs "Svart Seid" and "Det Norønne Alter" for the kids, and told them stories from Norse Mythology. Rolf Royce who sings on the track "Svart Seid" on their new album, stepped in on clean vocals for the concert, acting as Odin.

Helheim drummer Hrymr says this about the show: "Helheim wanted to do a different kind of release concert to mark the new album 'Kaoskult'.

We played for the oldest kids in the kindergarten, and the response was fantastic! Helheim have a genuine wish to spread the knowledge of Norse Mythology, and there is no better place to start than with the young children."

Hrymr was able to put the essence of this stunt into a single sentence: "We need to let Metal and Odin catch the kids before Jesus does!".

Footage from the concert can be seen at web-tv's like:
www.adressa.no/tv/index.jsp?cat=66
www1.nrk.no/nett-tv/indeks/129647
 
New Fate Album Available For Streaming : Added April 21st
‘Vultures’, the impressing debut album of Californian youngster Fate, is in stores Today. Death Metal meets the attitude of Hardcore. Highly recommended to fans of Job For A Cowboy and The Black Dahlia Murder. You can stream the entire album on www.thenewx-treme.com to get an idea what this promising newcomer is all about.

Streaming will be online until May 9th. Check it out!
www.myspace.com/fate

 
Loits Home Video Contest : Added April 21st
Loits is glad to announce a home video contest.

You can choose any of Loits’ singles to make your home video and the band makes no restrictions to your imagination or your artistic visions. Just feel free to use any you like. Anyone can participate at the contest and the band is glad to give you some advice if needed.

The winner will be chosen by the band itself. The winning video will be presented at Loits’ DVD which is going to be released on September 5th 2008. Loits will award the winner with ten brand-new DVDs and Lasering music store certificate for 2 500 EEK (160 EUR).

 The contest ends on May 30th 2008. The winner(s) will be announced at the latest on June 2nd 2008.
So get ready and start filming!

http://video.delfi.ee/en/contests/

 
Devilish Impressions News : Added April 21st
Devilish Impressions to support Satyricon!!! D.I. on tour in Poland soon!!!

After successful European tour alongside Behemoth, appearance at Wacken Road Show’ alongside Overkill, Samael, Enslaved & Tristania as well as UK / Scotland / Ireland tour with Dismember the band will be soon heading for their first tour ever in Poland ('Rebel Angels Tour')
followed by an exclusive gig in Kiev with Satyricon on the 18th of May!!! Devilish Impressions will held main support slot while the gig will be opened by Nokturnal Mortum.
Marked by extensive media promotion and many shows played all around Europe, Devilish Impressions’ latest opus - the "Diabolicanos – Act III: Armageddon" album - has been highly acclaimed by both media and fans from all over the word and the band is now being described as one of the most promising acts of today’s extreme metal scene.

www.myspace.com/devilishimpressions
www.devilish-impressions.com
 
Therion Split In Two : Added April 21st
from www.megatherion.com

Dear Fans,

Today we have an announcement that will come as a shock to all of you. The four permanent members of the band have had some discussions and it is clear that we have different goals and visions for the future. Therefore it is best for the band, our selves as individuals and for the fans that we go separate ways now when there is still plenty of
time before the next Therion album and World Tour. This means that Christofer will continue with Therion and the others will perform their music in other projects and bands.

We're all still friends, no one is disappointed and there's still some work we have left to do together in terms of editing of materials we have recorded for future DVD's.

Best regards to all of you and thank you so much for the wonderful support you have given the band during the time we have played together.

Christofer, Kristian, Johan and Petter.

 
Marionette Post New Song Online : Added April 21st
Gothenburg, Sweden-based metal sextet Marionette have posted the song “Release” onto their Myspace. “Release” comes from Marionette’s debut album, Spite, which will be released on 28 April through France’s Listenable Records.

Spite was recorded with a team of up-and-coming and established producers in the Swedish scene, including Simon Exner (Ethereal) and two-time Swedish Grammy award winner Åke Parmerud in Gothenburg and Borås, Sweden. Spite was mixed and mastered by Christian Silver at Studio Mega in Varberg, Sweden. In addition to the song “Release”,
the songs “Burn Me”, “Parasite”, “Burn Me” and “Flies” are all available for streaming on the band’ official Myspace Page.

Marionette recently released the music video for the song “Burn Me”, which was recorded and produced by Robert Karlsson, who works with acclaimed Swedish video director Patrick Ullaeus at Revolver Film Company. This video, in addition to Marionette’s live music videos and studio diaries from the Spite recording session can be viewed on the band’s Youtube Page.

Spite track listing:
01. Parasite
02. Legion
03. Release
04. Flies
05. Closed Doors
06. Burn Me
07. In Spite
08. To Make Men
09. Dead Boy And Girls
10. This Pain That We Refuse
11. Black Hand
12. This Is The End

Marionette is:
Axel Widén - Vocals
Aron Parmerud - Guitar
Johan Sporre - Guitar and Backing Vocals
Mikael Mendin - Bass
Linus Johansson - Keyboards/Synth
Jimmy Olausson – Drums

Marionette Myspace Page: www.myspace.com/marionettesweden
Youtube Page: www.youtube.com/marionettesweden
Marionette Official Website: www.marionette.se
 
Motorhead and Saxon UK Tour : Added April 17th
Motorhead and Saxon are teaming up for a UK Tour in November. Support comes from Danko Jones. The dates are:

November 2008
3rd Wolverhampton Civic Hall
4th Ipswich Regent
6th Brighton Dome
7th Newcastle Academy
8th Sheffield Academy
10th Glasgow Academy
11th Leicester De Montfort Hall
12th Southampton Guildhall
14th Manchester Apollo
15th Cardiff University
17th Cambridge Corn Exchange
18th Bristol Colston Hall
19th Exeter University
21st Norwich UEA
22nd London Hammersmith Apollo

 
Bodom Go Gold In Finland : Added April 17th
Children of Bodom's new album, “Blooddrunk”, has gone gold in Finland! After a number one single last month, the band have again stormed the Finnish charts, with “Blooddrunk” going gold on pre-sales alone, before it has even been officially released - a first for the band.

The album is also available as a full album stream on the band’s MySpace page - www.myspace.com/childrenofbodom

Children of Bodom will be returning to the UK in June for this year’s Download festival, and will also be performing at Metal Hammer magazine’s Golden Gods Awards, where the band have received nominations in both the “Best Album” (“Blooddrunk”) and “Shredder” (Alexi Laiho) categories. Spinefarm records has also been nominated in the “Best Metal Label” Category.

Catch COB Live in the UK:

11.06 Vicar Street, Dublin (ROI)
12.06 Carling Academy, Glasgow
13 - 15.06 Download Festival, Donnington
16.06 Golden Gods Awards, Indigo @ O2 Centre, London
 
Scarlet Sign Empyrios : Added April 17th
Scarlet Records has just signed a deal with Empyrios. Founded in 2001 by guitar virtuoso Simone Mularoni (DGM), Empyrios gained enthusiastic reviews and awesome feedback worldwide, due to their incredible technical abilities and impressive mix of melodic and brutal heavy metal, in the vein of bands such as Strapping Young Lad, Nevermore, Symphony X, Fear Factory, Yngwie Malmsteen and Meshuggah.

The new album, ‘The Glorious Sickness’, will be available in June 2008. Check out the latest news on www.scarletrecords.it | www.myspace.com/empyrios

 
Conquest of Steel To Record Concept Album : Added April 17th
UK True Metal Band Conquest of Steel are to begin work on their 3rd album over the coming months. The record, a concept album named ‘Storm Sword’ is a tale of a dystopian future set in a medieval past. The album will continue to feature Conquest of Steel’s distinctive take on classic 1980’s Heavy Metal, but will incorporate new musical ideas in keeping with the concept. Studio time is booked for summer 2008, with recording again taking place at both Priory and Red Flag Studios. A release is planned for early 2009.

Conquest of Steel have recently returned from their most successful European Tour to date, taking in Germany, Holland, Belgium and Czech Republic. Unfortunately the planned Swiss date was cancelled after singer Dan Durrant required hospital treatment for a hand injury following an accident on stage in Leipzig. Dan is recovering well and managed to complete the rest of the tour.

Conquest of Steel have select live dates lined up for the following months as follows:
Bradford Gasworks May 8th
Leeds Fenton May 19th
Leeds Brudenell Social Club ‘Moncada Rocks’ June 7th
Swordbrothers Festival, Germany Sept 13th
 
Napalm Sign Lunatica : Added April 17th
Napalm Records has signed Lunatica. The Swiss band is right in the middle of recording their new album. Michael Levine (Hans Zimmer's arranger - Pirates of the Carribean, The Rock) has provided his expertise on one track. In addition, Jimi Jamsion (Survivor's ex-vocalist) as well as John Payne (ex-Asia) will perform two songs with frontlady Andrea.

An album release is tentatively scheduled for winter 2008/2009. Make sure to check out Lunatica's music and art on MySpace. www.myspace.com/lunaticametal
 
New Mournful Gust Album "The Frankness Eve" : Added April 17th
Mournful Gust - a well known Ukrainian group come back with a new album after an eight-year break! The debut album was issued in 2000 on MC and has been re-released on CD in 2005 by Soyuz/Metal Agen. Today the group comes back with the new material, combining such styles as: gothic metal, death/doom and elements of the European folk-music. The sated melodies are filled with parts of live flute. The voice of the vocalist (known from his work with Autumnia) transfers a rich palette of feelings and experiences, which have been put in pawn in the English-speaking lyrics, passing from clear singing, to growl.
The addition of a 24 page booklet makes this disk a unique eye catcher with pit art.
Band site - www.mournfulgust.com
Label site - www.solitude-prod.com
 
New Folkstone cd : Added April 17th
Coming soon the new Folkstone cd www.myspace.com/FolkStone

Over a month of hard sessions and recording to define what will be the first Folkstone's full-length, the metal-medieval Italian Alpe's band that is quickly spreading in the European metal environment.
This work, that will be available from April, the 24th on Fuel records label/SELF distribution (www.self.it), will be in luxury-digipack, with 16 pages long booklet, mountains locations photos and Jacopo Berlendis' paintings.
The cd will contain 10 electric songs plus 2 acoustic tracks (Intro and Outro for opening and closing) to make even more beautiful this precious work arisen from more than 2 years of music on the road, like a busker or a poor minstrel: the trouble was the chose of the tracks between many others. In the end, the definitive list includes 4 remastered old songs.

-Definitive track list:
Intro
FolkStone
Briganti di Montagna
Rocce Nere
Avanti (trad. del xv secolo)
In Taberna
Oltre il Tempo
Con Passo Pesante
Lo Stendardo
Igni Cena (Schelmish tribute)
Alza il Corno
Outro

Following the release of the cd, the metal-folk band will go on a European tour that will take them in castles and medieval village and in prestigious locations like Lucerna (Ch)-Sedel, MusicDrome (Mi), Biella-BeltaneFestival, Lipsia (D)-Gotik Treffen, Zurich( Ch)-Fiesta Pagana, Hamburg (D)-Hoernerfest, AdroRock con Mago de Oz, Selb (D)-Mediaval Festival etc..;a travel of 2 months trough the most important rock festivals.

If you'll have occasion to see one of their bloody shows, you'll personally understand their carrying and contagious happiness, and the warm answer of the people from every part of the world, and above all the enormous quantity of beer that floods on their stage.
If you want to know some more: www.myspace.com/folkStone

 
Fires Of Babylon @ Myspace : Added April 17th
Fires Of Babylon have set up some soundclips on their myspace site at: www.myspace.com/firesofbabylon 

Check them out there! The band's debut self-titled album will be released on April 25th on Metal Heaven. www.metalheaven.net
 
New Vex Vocalist Announced : Added April 17th
Against the Plagues lead vocalist, Orlando Logan Perez joins Texas metal band, VEX, winners of the Xtreme Texas Metal “band of the year” in 2006. On the 1st of April, this announcement was made on the vocalists' personal blog; however, being that it was April 1st, there was some debate to whether the singer was provoking a hoax. "Logan" has recently confirmed that he will be the new vocalist for Vex.

Statement: “I am honored to be working with such great musicians and great long-time friends that share similar visions, philosophies, and burdens. Although my work with Vex will be significantly different than that of Against the Plagues, I believe it will present a similar spirit of aggression, harmony, and intellectualism.”

Vex’s first full length album entitled “ Thanatopsis” is expected to be released this summer before they return to complete their second album expected to be released early next year. In 2007, Vex completed a US tour supporting Avenger of Blood and Godless Rising.

For more information go to http://vexmetal.com or http://myspace.com/vexhomepage
 
Abused Majesty News : Added April 17th
This is the latest news from Abused Majesty's camp.

'...so Man created god in his own image' out in May 2008 by Conquer Records UK / Plastic Head and Empire Records

We are absolutely proud to announce that our new album will be released in May 2008 by Conquer Records | Plastic Head in West Europe and UK and Empire Records in Poland!

The second full-length album of Abused Majesty was recorded in Hertz studio. Front cover and all booklet for our new album '...so Man created god in his own image...' is an artistic vision of our music created by Greek artist Seth (well known as a graphic designer for such bands as Paradise Lost, Old Man's Child, Vader, Rotting Christ, etc).

More info: www.abused-majesty.pl | www.conquerrec.com
 
New Dark Sky Album : Added April 17th
Dark Sky - new studio album "Empty Faces" due on AOR Heaven on June 27th, 2008 :::

Dark Sky had been founded as a school band in the very early 80’s in the South German city of Rottweil. The release of their 3rd studio album "Living & Dying" (2005) marked the first output for their current label AOR Heaven.

After playing lots of concerts during 2005 and 2006 the band started to pre-produce songs for the new album “Empty Faces”. It was again producer Markus Teske (Vanden Plas) who made sure that “Empty Faces” was provided with the required power. The recordings were finished in February 2008.
Track list: 1. Hands Up, 2. Empty Faces, 3. Slave Of Time, 4. Send Them To Hell, 5. Chase Your Dreams, 6. Maniac, 7. Saints Beneath The Sky, 8. Pleasure & Pain, 9. Believe It, 10. Meaning Of Life, 11. Final Day (Hidden Track)

Vocals: Frank Breuninger; Guitars: Steffen Doll; Drums: Uwe Mayer; Bass: Winny Zurek ; Keyboards: Claudio Nobile

www.dark-sky.de 
 
Scarlet Sign Arthemis : Added April 17th
Scarlet Records has just signed a deal with Arthemis, band formed in 1994 which combines the darker side of hard rock with prog/power influences and a modern touch of top-quality heavy/thrash metal. Since their inception in the scene, Arthemis released four well-received albums which made them one of the prominent names in the European metal scene, building up a solid fan-base in countries like Japan and touring the world with celebrated names such as Slayer, Yngwie Malmsteen, Hammerfall, Within Temptation and Cradle Of Filth, among others.

‘Black Society’ is the confirmed title for their new album, accompanied by the videoclip for the song ‘Angels In Black’ and expected to be released in July 2008. For more info you can visit www.arthemisweb.com

 
Gaia Epicus Album Details : Added April 17th
Last names announced for guests on new Gaia Epicus album!

Here is the final names for the guest musicians appearing on "Damnation". Renato Tribuzy (Tribuzy) will do some vocals on one song of the new album. Renato is a great singer and he has worked with stars such as Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Matt Sinner (Sinner), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween),Roy Z, Roland Grapow and more. Tribuzy released their debut album "Execution" in 2005 via Locomotive Records, in 2007 the band released the live album “ Execution Live Reunion” Via MTM Records and the live DVD “Execution Live Reunion” via Locomotive Records in 2008.

And then we have Dominique Leurquin (Rhapsody of fire, Luca Turilli's Dreamquest) who will play a guitar solo on one song. Dominique is a great guitarist and has been a live guitarist for Rhapsody of fire since the year 2000, and he also plays on their albums. He has been a member of Luca Turilli's solo band since 2006.

There will also be some guitar solos done by Lasse Jensen (Oceans of time), and some keyboard solos done by Fabrizio S Muratori (NhorizoN).

Gaia Epicus is extremely honoured to have all these fantastic people on the album!

Guest line-up for the album:
Roland Grapow from the band Masterplan, ex-Helloween
Dominique Leurquin from the bands Rhapsody of fire-live, Luca Turilli's Dreamquest
Renato Tribuzy from the band Tribuzy
Andreas Olsson from the bands Narnia, Divinefire, Rob Rock, Stormwind
Michael Troy from the band Yngwie Malmsteen-live
Jonas Hörnqvist from the band Treasure Land
Lasse Jensen from the band Oceans of time
Fabrizio S Muratori from the band NhorizoN

More news at www.gaia-epicus.com
 
Streak - The New Face of Industrial Rock : Added April 17th

Spawned from the mind of Chris Dimock, Streak began as a solo project, with Chris producing all aspects of the music- from drums to sample programming to guitar to vocals and even lyrics. But in 2007 Chris found the member that was missing, a drummer by the name of Paul Aho, and finally Streak was complete. With fans throughout the East Coast and constant comparisons to greats the likes of Nine Inch Nails and Ministry, Streak is ready to take their unique brand of industrial rock nation wide. They are currently in the process of recording their full length album, set to be released later this year.
For more information visit www.myspace.com/streak

 
Norsk Svart Metall Compilation + New Black Metal Distro : Added April 9th
My good friend Crin has re-launched Godreah.com and as well as his own releases, there's also a fine selection of underground Black Metal to purchase. Check out his latest list at: www.godreah.com/catalogue.php

His latest release is the Norsk Svart Metall compilation which features the best of the new wave of Norwegian Black Metal. From now and until the end of April, you can get the cd for a reduced price of £6 + postage courtesy of Live 4 Metal. The price for the cd, including postage is: £7 UK, £8 Europe, £8.50 Rest of World. You can pay via Paypal using this email address: themeadsofasphodel at ntlworld.com (replacing at with @)

More information about the cd can be found here

 
Treponem Pal To Headline Paul Raven Tribute : Added April 7th
Treponem Pal will be headlining the Paul Raven Tribute show at The London Underworld on Wednesday May 28th. The band are keen to pay tribute to the much admired musician, who was working on the new Treponem Pal album when he tragically passed away in October of last year.

Says Vocalist Marco Neves:
“I met this guy 16 years ago and we immediately got along very quickly !! He was a very positive human being, totally dedicated to living his life at 1000 % . Our vision of music and our taste was so opened in different ways, to a lot of different sounds and colours. It really helped us to escape from the same classic "routine". He was a true rebel… coming up on stage with such an infectious energy to offer !!!! He used Music as a weapon for life and fun
and also to express his rage and torment, against politics and a mean to get beneath the skirts of beautiful women. And the most important thing was the way he loved to share everything with his friends and all people in general !!!
A very unique human being !! An original freedom fighter !!!!
Paul you'll be forever tattooed in our hearts !!
This album is entirely dedicated to you bro !! Rest in peace !!”

With several cult albums critically and internationally acclaimed under its belt, a pioneer's career and various punchy collaborations (Young Gods, Nine Inch Nails, Prong, Ministry, Faith No More...), the Parisian precursor of groovy industrial-metal carbonizes the record industry with a new LP mixed with napalm. Recorded in Geneva, produced by David Weber and written by Marco Neves (vocals, development), Didier B. (keyboards, samplers), Polak (guitars) and the late Paul Raven (eminent bass player of Killing Joke, Godflesh, Pigface, Murder Inc ., Prong, Ministry), the ballistic missile plans to collide our boomers in April 2008.

Industrially toxic, metallic, electronic, ethnic, electric, psychedelic, hypnotic and always more eclectic, Treponem Pal signs with this noxious "Weird Machine" a proper declaration of war. An urban time bomb of a manifesto, pure weapon of massive destruction and distraction seriously dangerous and open minded.

Paul Raven Tribute show featuring Treponem Pal, Inertia & Gundogs:
28th May London Underworld 020 7482 1932

www.myspace.com/treponempal
 
Anterior In Search Of New Drummer : Added April 7th
Up and coming British band Anterior are searching for a new drummer. “Ross has decided to pursue a new career and wishes to leave the band as soon as we have a replacement. So, we need a new drummer as soon as possible. We are preferably looking at someone between 18-25 based in the South Wales area and must be 1,000,000% committed with their own gear and transport. However if you are interested and think you can do the job but live elsewhere then get in touch.”

Anyone interested please send your details and previous experience to: anterior@hotmail.co.uk 

Cheers and Beers

Anterior
www.myspace.com/anterior

 
Primordial To Headline Heidenfest Tour : Added April 7th
Primordial to tour Europe in October/November

Pagan Metal Gods Primordial will be headlining European venues in the fall in support of their latest album “To The Nameless Dead”. Support comes from Eluveitie, Equilibrium, Catamenia and one more special guest.

Heidenfest Tour 2008
Primordial + Eluveitie + Equilibrium + Catamenia + very special guest + local support
31.10.08 - DE - Leipzig – Hellraiser
01.11.08 - DE - München – Backstage
02.11.08 - CH - Pratteln - Z7
03.11.08 - AT - Graz – Orpheum
04.11.08 - CZ - Zlin - Masters Of Rock Café
05.11.08 - DE - Berlin – Postbahnhof
06.11.08 - DE - Hamburg – Markthalle
07.11.08 - NL - Amsterdam – Melkweg
08.11.08 - DE - Essen – Weststadthalle
09.11.08 - FR - Paris - La Locomotive
10.11.08 - BE - Vosselaar – Biebob
11.11.08 - DE - Saarbrücken – Roxy
12.11.08 - DE - Ludwigsburg – Rockfabrik
13.11.08 - DE - Frankfurt – Batschkapp
14.11.08 - AT - Linz – Posthof
15.11.08 - AT - Wien – Gasometer
 
New Emergency Gate Vocalist Announced : Added April 7th
Emergency Gate found a NEW Singer !!!!

Emergency Gate found the new "Voice of Hell"!
Mathis Kupka (ex -SuidAkrA) will take his rightful place within our lines.
The final recording of our upcoming album can now begin!

What? "Never-Heard-Of?" In that case, let's take a closer look at:

for more information visit : www.emergency-gate.com or www.myspace.com/emergencygateonline
 
Raging Speedhorn To Split : Added April 7th
Corby Bruisers Raging Speedhorn have cancelled their scheduled UK dates for April and have revealed that their next UK tour will be their last. Guitarist Gareth Smith explains:

"We decided that 2008 will be the last year as a band for Raging Speedhorn. After our touring is done this year there will be no more. We've been together 10 years and we all feel we've achieved just about everything we aimed for as a band. We've toured the world for 10 years, put out 4 albums we're very proud of, made many, many lifelong friends. Now it feels like it's time to move on and create something new. Our last record feels like a very apt way to sign off, we don't feel we could take Speedhorn any further than that record. It's our proudest work and we're happy to leave things at that."

The decision to cancel the April dates came as the band wanted to make sure their last tour would be the best it could be:

"We decided to cancel the tour since we couldn't get everything together in time as far as the package for it and the confirmation of shows. Everything was left a bit late and with this being our final year as band we didn't want to do anything half assed. We'll be doing one final tour of the UK in October instead, when we'll hoping to go out with a bang!"

The final, October dates will be announced soon
 
Empty Dreams Free Download : Added April 7th
Empty Dreams will release on the 13th of April their new EP, Winterfall’s Symphony. The content of the promo CD version (End Of My Dreams, Lost Souls Of Love, Como Estais Amigos - Iron Maiden cover version) will be available as free download for a two month period on the band’s official website: www.emptydreams.net 
 
New Silverwolf Signings : Added April 7th
Destinations Calling and Ivanhoe signed a new record deal with Silverwolf Productions.

Ivanhoe the ex Band of Brainstorm singer Andy B. Franck signed a new deal with Silverwolf Productions.
Currently they are in studio to record their new powerful album . The release will be in autumn 2008
for more Information visit : www.myspace.com/ivanhoemusic 

Also the young talented band "Destinations Calling " signed with Silverwolf Productions release will be - end of may.
www.myspace.com/destinationscalling
 
Hydrogyn Sign With Demolition : Added April 7th
Demolition Records would like to announce the signing of Ashland Kentucky based rockers Hydrogyn to the UK based label DR2
This signing comes on the heels of the band's success with their Billboard charting Bombshell release in 2006, Strip'em Blind Live CD success in 2007, coupled with their relentless touring in Europe over 2007.
"This is exactly what we were looking for, and the label we were looking to do it with." said Jeff Westlake of the band. He also went on to say " We feel Demolition has a great focus on their future, they know what they want to do, and have the unique drive that we were looking for in a label to get the job done." Ged Cook of Demolition stated, “We welcome Hydro to Demolition family. It really is going to be a pleasure working with them throughout the world.”
The deal is a world-wide three album deal that will start with the first of those releases, "Deadly Passions", coming in June, Worldwide. The new album was recorded in Huntington West Virginia's Smash Hits Studio.
2007 was a very busy year for the band, not only touring, but also finding new management, and a new label. Keep your eyes on www.hydrogyn.com and www.myspace.com/hydrogyn for touring developments as we get closer to the release in June.
 
Loits Steal The Show... Well Kind Of : Added April 7th
After having performed at the Estonian Music Awards gala — the Estonian equivalent of Grammies — on Tuesday, April 1, Loits in cooperation with the rebel icon and cult author Sven Kivisildnik robbed the award for the best artist in the metal/punk category that should have rightfully belonged to the Industrial Metal band Finish Me Off. In the end it was, of course, FMO who took the award home.
“I was more than sure that I was invited to the event to give the award to Loits. That’s the only reason I went,” comments Kivisildnik to the news portal Delfi.

“We met Kivisildinik in the backstage during the EMA rehearsals, and that was where the plan for us to receive the award was conceived. Sven agreed to give it to us and us only. We willingly went along with the game, as several things had dampened our spirits that day. If others can play dirty behind the scenes, we thought, we’d do the same publicly. We took the whole thing with a sense of humour, yet seriously enough to hone the plan in detail,” commented Ahto-Lembit Lehtmets, the singer of Loits, to Delfi.

He doesn’t agree, though, that Loits was the only nominee worthy of the award. “All nominees deserved it, as well as several whose names were never mentioned. I sincerely hope that our tiny scandal will draw the spotlight to all of them. One thing’s for sure — the act was not devised against Finish Me Off, as the band will definitely receive more attention from the media now,” he states.
YouTube.Com www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8Vx2Fyeqfs 

Loits www.myspace.com/loits